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Myths and Misconceptions About Genetics

If you teach genetics, I KNOW you have encountered these misconceptions before!

It is the time of the year that I teach genetics to my students. It's a great time of the year.... I love teaching genetics and the students love learning about genetics......for the most part! But have you noticed that even the students that seem to really "get it" will often ask a question that just stops you in your tracks? You think to yourself, "How in the world did they get so mixed up on the concepts I have been teaching?"

A few weeks ago I noticed a post that Carolina Biological had posted on their facebook page. It really caught my eye when I read "Five Common Misconceptions in Genetics." A link was provided with the post, so I quickly clicked on it and began to read. I am giving complete credit to this article to Crystal Jeter, Product Developer for Carolina Biological. Before reading further, click on the link above and read what she had to say. The article is short and to the point and really packs a punch! I deal with these five misconceptions EVERY SINGLE YEAR! (I am in no way affiliated with Carolina Biological, but I am a huge fan of this company!)I am not going to repeat any of her article here, but if you read it, I am sure you are nodding your head in agreement. It is so nice to have my frustrations validated! I am overjoyed to know that these are misconceptions that are very common and I am not the only one who deals with this each year. Seeing the five misconceptions so neatly outlined in her article will make it much easier to address them in my class. I enjoyed her article very much, and I will keep an eye open to her future writings.